One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1 (NLT)

Persistence is the opposite of “giving up.” However, persistence only has value if we pursue the right things. We admire stories of those who persisted, and persevered, in the face of overwhelming odds. Jesus used a parable to convey to his disciples the value of persistence.

If an unjust judge (a troubling paradox) eventually gives in and grants the petitioner her request, Jesus confirms that God will grant justice to those who cry out to him. Why is it that our God who desires to give good gifts to his children urges us to be persistent in our request of him?

In some ways it is counterintuitive, especially to those who are polite or reserved by nature. It seems impertinent to approach God so brazenly. Paul put it a little more politely: Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (CSB)

We understand that our requests must be in accordance with his will, but approaching God boldly is not a sign of disrespect. Instead, it shows that we are serious and committed to receiving what we ask for and need. When we understand that we have permission to approach him with persistence, anything less reveals a lack of faith.

God, who certainly knows what we are going to ask before we even ask, wants us to exercise our faith. It is also about relationship. As his children we can be bold: In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. Ephesians 3:12 (CSB). In fact, we must be bold and demonstrate our persistence.

Slow and Steady

Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Romans 12:11–12 (CSB)

It is not always how you start the race; it’s how you finish. We can recall those people who started well. They were bright lights, rising stars in Christian circles, but at some point, we asked the question, “Whatever happened to ____________?” In some cases they faded away into oblivion. Others exploded like a supernova, but are eventually forgotten.

The Preacher observed: I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NLT)

This verse is overly pessimistic, but it does illustrate that we should not be too hasty to declare winners and losers in life’s race. In Aesop’s famous fable, the hare had every advantage. He had speed and confidence, but his vanity led him into arrogance.

The moral of the story is that overconfidence and complacency can lead to failure, while perseverance and determination can lead to success. It emphasizes the importance of consistent effort and determination over arrogance and overconfidence. The story encourages us to keep moving forward, regardless of how slow we may seem compared to others.

It is not good enough to start well. Our race is not a sprint but a marathon. With persistence and determination we will reach the goal.

Don’t Be Stubborn

Yet they didn’t listen or pay attention but followed their own advice and their own stubborn, evil heart. They went backward and not forward. Jeremiah 7:24 (CSB)

We applaud persistence. But there is a fine line between persistence or perseverance, and stubbornness. How do we know if we are persistent or just plain stubborn? It is not easy to distinguish externally because it is a matter of the heart.

For the child of God the difference can be summed up like this: “Not my will, but yours be done.” A position of stubbornness will say things like: “We have always done it this way, and we are not going to change now.” There is no opening or place for new ideas or ways of doing things. Jeremiah equates stubbornness with going backward and not forward.

On the other hand, the persistent have their eyes fixed on what God is doing right now. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (CSB)

How many people are fixated on what God was doing yesterday? It is good to remember where God has brought us from, but it is more important to look to where he is taking us now. It has been said that the greatest opponents of any new move of God are those whose lives were changed by the last great move of God.

Stubbornness is selfishness. The persistent keep moving forward toward God, and not toward their own goals. It requires attentiveness to God’s voice. The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 (CSB).

Never Give Up

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

How many people give up before they enter into all of the blessings that God has for them? Earlier Paul said to the Galatians: You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:7 (CSB). Did they allow the enemy to sow seeds of discouragement into their minds?

If we keep our eyes on Jesus, and not on our circumstances, and if we run with endurance, a bountiful harvest awaits us. The story that Jesus told the disciples about how we are to approach God in prayer might seem impertinent, but: The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 (NLT)

Remember, our persistence pleases God, and he will respond to us with a great harvest of blessing. Do not surrender, and do not give up.

Steve Ekeroth